- Joyeuse
Joyeuse was the name of
Charlemagne 's personalsword . The name translates as "joyful". Some legends claim that it was forged to contain the Lance of Longinus within itspommel —others state it was supposedly smithed from the same materials asRoland 'sDurendal and Ogier'sCurtana . [Bullfinch's Mythology, Legends of Charlemagne, Chapter 24]The 11th century "Song of Roland" describes the sword::" [Charlemagne] was wearing his fine white coat of mail and his helmet with gold-studded stones; by his side hung Joyeuse, and never was there a sword to match it; its color changed thirty times a day."
Some seven hundred years later, "
Bulfinch's Mythology " would describe Charlemagne using "Joyeuse" to behead theSaracen commanderCorsuble , as well asknighting his comradeOgier the Dane .It is alleged to have been interred with Charlemagne's body, or contrarily to be held by the
Saint Denis Basilica , where it was later retired into theLouvre after being carried at the front of Coronation processionals for French kings. Another supposed Joyeuse is held at the Imperial Treasury inVienna .The town of Joyeuse in
Ardèche , is supposedly named after the sword: Joyeuse was allegedly lost in a battle, and retrieved by one of the knights of Charlemagne; to thank him, Charlemagne would have granted him anappanage named Joyeuse.References
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